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Signing an executive order to create a deficit commission on Thursday, President Obama said his appointed co-chairmen, Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, were “taking on the impossible.”

“They’re going to try to restore reason to the fiscal debate,” he said, saying they will have a “difficult and perhaps thankless task,” and that they will "put country first,” borrowing the slogan used by the McCain-Palin campaign.

Bowles, a former White House chief of staff in the Clinton administration, and Simpson, a former Republican senator, will be joined by 16 panel members, Obama said. Six will be appointed by Democrats, six by Republicans and four more by him.

“Those who preach fiscal discipline have to be willing to take the hard steps necessary to achieve it,” Obama said. “And those who believe government has a responsibility to meet these — these urgent challenges have a great stake in bringing our deficits under control, because if we don't, we won't be able to meet our most basic obligations to one another.”

The executive order, released by the White House after Obama signed it, says the commission will vote on recommendations no later than Dec. 1.

Me thinks he speaks out of both sides of his mouth. Make the hard decisions? Um, how about "stop spending money you don't have." I mean, if we can't go to Vegas, why can he continue to shove the bloated HC bill (2,000 pages in one bill, millions left uninsured, and millions in payoffs to various industries are included...) and threats of Cap and Trade down our throats? Granted, he didn't write the bills - his minions did. It's still his responsibility to know what's in them. And creating jobs? How about shine some sunlight on the fees and penalties in HC. Why would a small business hire employees when they don't know what tomorrow holds?

Me thinks he speaks out of both sides of his mouth. Make the hard decisions? Um, how about "stop spending money you don't have." I mean, if we can't go to Vegas, why can he continue to shove the bloated HC bill (2,000 pages in one bill, millions left uninsured, and millions in payoffs to various industries are included...) and threats of Cap and Trade down our throats? Granted, he didn't write the bills - his minions did. It's still his responsibility to know what's in them. And creating jobs? How about shine some sunlight on the fees and penalties in HC. Why would a small business hire employees when they don't know what tomorrow holds?

If I were to spend 5 times what I earned (brought home) each year I'd soon be laughed at for being stupid and wasteful. Why is it that our government can do it routinely and not be held accountable? If you don't have the money, then don't spend it!!! We've been lectured by Obama about "our" spending habits and told that we can't "go to Vegas", but its okay for him to keep borrowing and borrowing and spending what isn't available? Sheesh! Wake up America! Its time to get career politicians out of office (Both republican and democrat) and get a grip on spending. No business could afford to run in the red like our government does, so why should Washington get a big fat OK from us to do it? Now we have a special commission (that we are PAYING for) to tell us how to cut spending? Duh! Across the board cuts and elimination of most of the entitlement programs. We can't afford them and if states CHOOSE to provide those, then let them worry about finding the money.

A very transparent attempt to find a fig leaf for a tax increase; does the President think we are really stupid?

This makes about as much sense as a drunk appointing someone else to keep him from drinking.

If the Obama administration wants to stop spending, it can stop it today. Beginning with the President; no more jetting off to every place in the world. Mothball AirForce One; stay at home; go to work. Make an example to the country for tightening one's own belt, not an example for nouveau riche profligacy, spending taxpayer's money on personal self aggrandizement as if it was going out of style.

He doesn't need Alan Simpson to tell him what he already knows -- stop spending, tighten your belt, get some smart advisers who understand economics around you, and try for a change being honest with yourself and the American people.